Merrillville discusses Savannah Ridge subdivision tentative plan

A proposal to complete the established Savannah Ridge subdivision with 87 new homes received tentative approval Feb. 19 from the Merrillville Plan Commission.

The single-family houses would be built on about 30 acres located at approximately 7800 Grant St.

Matt Welter, speaking on behalf of his father and proposed d eve l o p e r, Wayne Welter, said at a workshop session earlier this month that they’re looking to construct ranches and Cape Codstyle homes, probably in the low to mid-$200,000 range.

Attorney Richard Anderson said the developer is looking at the same builder working in the Broadmoor subdivision.

While generally in favor of the proposal, commission members brought up two concerns — drainage issues and the need for an upgraded park — and one desire — that Savannah Ridge be connected to the n e i g h b o r i n g Ma d i s o n Meadows subdivision.

“My biggest concern is stormwater. Be highly aware that water from the streets will infiltrate the current system,” said commission member Ric Holtz, who lives in Savannah Ridge.

“I just want to be sure no water from this addition will go into the existing subdivision,” he said.

Doug Homeier, the project’s engineer, said the existing pond will be cleaned up and improved and the addition will have a completely separate stormwater system from the current one.

He said he found the current system to be “grossly undersized.”

Councilman and Commission president Shawn Pettit, D-6th, said the petitioner needs to talk to Parks director Jan Orlich and the councilman for that district, Jeffrey Minchuk, D-3rd, about how he would help provide for an upgraded park -- whether in land or a cash donation.

Orlich said at the workshop session that the current neighborhood park can’t accommodate an additional 87 families. She said it just has a play area and a shelter that needs to come down.

Commission member Brian Dering pointed out that lots 39 to 46 in the proposed addition back up to the second phase of Madison Meadows subdivision.

“Can you envision a way to connect the two subdivisions? If you could, would you be amenable to it,” Dering asked.

Pettit said that would involve connecting Grant to Madison Street. He suggested asking Minchuk for his thoughts on that, as well.

In other matters, Living Hope Church receive final approval for a two-lot subdivision of its property at 8909 and 9007 Chase St. One lot is for a single-family home and the other for future development.

When asked what the church’s vision for the second property is, a church official said it is putting together a steering committee that will solicit input from the congregation about what it would like to see there.

Taghi Arshami, of the Arsh Group, said there are two elements in the vision.

“It must be significantly community based and there must be outreach elements,” Arshami said..

Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the PostTribune.